MGM 2008 - Newcastle Launches Massive Museum At Night Culturefest

A still of Manuel Saiz's artwork Public Display of Affection, in which visitors will have the chance to take part in their own romantic movie. Courtesy The Laing Art Gallery

Newcastle is celebrating the Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) 'Museums at Night' weekend with over 20 venues opening their doors on Saturday May 17 from 7 – 11pm adding culture to the city’s legendary nightlife experience.

Under the umbrella title The Late Shows, the events being run by the city's major galleries and museums will prove to be both varied and interactive.

Interactive events will include a gin workshop where you can taste for yourself the history of gin from Hogarth to the modern G and T. Romance can be found at the Laing Art Gallery where a live art and film installation can record couples’ romantic clinches in amazing old-fashioned Technicolour.

More sober and chilled-out moments will be on offer at the Hatton Gallery with their retro-electro drawing fun in the Etch-a-Sketch Lounge. The drawing theme continues with their Masterpiece Pictionary event.

Newcastle United Football Club, where there will be a tour and the exclusive chance to go on to the centre circle of the pitch and have your photograph taken. Courtesy Newcastle United FC

It’s hard to separate culture and sport in Newcastle and Newcastle United are opening their ground and offering a rare opportunity for fans to take a tour of the pitch.

As well as free entry to all events, a free bus service will be running between the venues so people can visit as many places and exhibitions as possible during the evening.

The Horrible Henry exhibition at the Seven Stories centre, where costumed characters will help visitors get up to mischief. Courtesy Seven Stories

More information about the growing number of venues still signing up for this mammoth cultural Saturday night can be found at the Late Shows website.

The project is being funded by the North East Regional Museums Hub as part of the Renaissance programme.